Prominent lawyer and opposition figure, Ady Macauley, has publicly accused President Julius Maada Bio of laying the groundwork for what he describes as a “2028 rigging agenda” through the unconstitutional appointment of Alex Pat Labib Saffa as Electoral Commissioner for the Eastern Region.
In a strongly worded statement, Macauley claimed that the appointment flagrantly violates Section 32(3) of Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution, which mandates the President to consult with leaders of all registered political parties before appointing members to the Electoral Commission.
“This illegality is dead on arrival,” Macauley stated. “We will resist it through the courts and political action. Business as usual will no longer be profitable business for the Paopa regime.”
Describing the move as a “blatant constitutional violation,” Macauley asserted that the failure to engage in inclusive consultations undermines the credibility of the electoral process and signals the start of structural manipulation ahead of the country’s next general elections in 2028.
The appointment has sparked serious concerns within opposition circles and among civil society groups, given the central role of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) in managing elections. Past electoral cycles have often been tainted by disputes over transparency and impartiality, and this latest development is expected to further heighten political tensions.
Macauley, a former Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission and a leading voice in Sierra Leone’s legal and political landscape, emphasized that this act challenges not just the constitution but the democratic principles the nation stands on. He warned that it would not go unchallenged.
While the government is yet to officially respond to the allegations, the appointment is likely to face both legal scrutiny and political resistance in the days ahead.
Macauley concluded his remarks with a defiant message: “Lontha!” —a Krio expression meaning “enough is enough,” signaling what he described as the beginning of a broader resistance to unconstitutional governance.
